The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-10
Pulpit ImprOprietles.

1t is not proper for preacher to be
hunting his lessons, hymns and texts
in the pulpit, while the services are
proceeding, for this indicates that fiji
preparation has not been made before
hand. 1t is not proper to chew tobac'
co anywhere, but in the pulpit it is
vulgar beyond expression. Stand
erect; do not cross your legs or lean
lazily on the pulpit, and do not beat
the Bible when preaching. It is bad
to drink much water while speaking,
for, besides showing hesitation and
embarrassment, it Injuries the infiam.
ed fauces to pour cold draughts upon
it. Much of "clergymen's sore
throat" comes from water-drinking
while the lining membranes are hot
from exercise. Too much pocket
handkerchief is improper. and it's fire.
quent use shows you do not know
what to do with your hands. Avoid
cant and catch words, such as, 1--WE
feel to thank thee," "Our feet have
wandered in forbidden paths" "1'ouch
and tender with the finger of thy
love-" etc. Avoid vain repetitions, "
such as, ooh, God !" "Oh, blessed
Jesus!' "Gracious Lordp "Oh, our
FatherW They take up time, display
q poverty of resources and detract
from the impressiveness of style.
govern and direct u.s." "We praise and
bless thee" Avoid mispronuncia-
tions, such as, "Pentecostial," "Sper.
It," etc. Do not say "resurrected."
L1s neither English nor biblical.
Give out all your appointments at
once, in the purest and plainest words.
Do not get into the habit of scolding.
Reprove only as as necessity, and then
mildly. A preacher always loses pow
er when he shows he is angry or even
unamiably perturbed. Study how to
read your lessons and hymns, and do
not drag or drone through them. In
terpret the sentiment by tone and by
placing, the emphasis on the right
clause, word or syllable. Be careful
to clearly articulate the vowels. Have
well-defined compass so that you
will not speak too high or low. Never
below or blow. Neither the bull MOI
porpoise are good models for elocutiOn
Suit tone and action to sentiment
Declamatory pathos degenerates into
mere pathos. fearful feelings are
never noisy. Description should al.
ways be narrative and colloquial
Climaxes may be thundered, but moi
roared. Always harmoniZe the ser.
vices by selecting, with respect to
unity. beforehand, the hymns, lessons
and subjects. Incongruity Of parts in
a service is like dissonance in music
Dress neatly. Always wear black in
the pulpit. To preach in linen-dus
ter is in shocking bad taste. Never
drink out of the pitcher. Famish fol
water first. We have seen it done
Do not have too many divisions to
your sermons, and not name them by
numerals-as firstly, secondly. We
have heard preachers emphasize them
so as to say first lie, second lie, etc.
Strike right into the subject, keep
striking into it and not at it, and stop
when you are done. Never struggle
for q climax or peroration omit it II
it does not come naturally. Eloquence
can't be pumped up. 1t must escape
like an iridescent jet from all impris'
oned fountain. If you have memoriz'
ell anything you think particularly
nice, and forgotten to bring it in at the
right place, do not wander after it,
Let it slide. You will have need Of il
again when it will suggest itself. II
you start i'm on poetic quotation and
get tangled, give the sentiment, and
move right on. A man is never in Sc
bad snare as when entangled and
struggling in a net of ribbons. The
only thing he can do is to break loose
and run. Never get i'm the habit Of
clearing your throat, or of ending your
sentences with an "ah-ah," or oi
stage-breathing. Leave all that to the
Hard-shell Baptists.
"Study to show thyself workman
approved, that needeth not to he
ashamed" and of whom your breth'
rem will not be ashamed.